As brilliant sunlight crossed the ridgeline of the eastern mountains, the giant sun gradually climbed high into the sky. A hazy halo diffused around its faintly patterned gaseous crown. Beneath the radiance of that glorious sun, even the barren edge of the wasteland seemed infused with vigorous life. The distant mountains and nearby vegetation all became vividly bright in the sunlight—Bercetia looked up at the sky, and a faint layer of glittering gold seemed to ripple around the edges of her platinum-gold eyes. Then she lowered her gaze and gave Gawain a slight nod. "The weather control team's results are quite good. This clear weather looks like it will last for many days."
Gawain looked into the distance. Convoys arriving from the towns were steadily reaching the edge of the venue. Some representatives had already left their vehicles and were heading toward designated waiting areas under the guidance of attendants—most of them appeared somewhat bewildered, for this bare place truly did not resemble a venue for such a grand event. There were only sparse wildflowers and weeds beneath their feet, untamed woods and shrubs in the distance, and nothing farther away but rocks and barren hills. For these important figures attending the conference, this was probably entirely different from the sort of high-level gathering place they had imagined.
There was no red carpet, no music, no honor guard, and certainly no magnificent dome or imposing tables and chairs. This was no longer merely a matter of simplicity.
Yet those who could come here were not ordinary people after all. They still possessed some composure and patience. Thus, even though they were puzzled and had developed some doubts, the representatives arriving at the scene did not show it for the time being. They waited patiently for what came next, and quite